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I pull into Abby’s driveway, and she comes running out the front door. Shaking my head, I watch my big sister run toward the back door and get her niece out. In a flash she disappears back into the house.
Once I’m inside the house I find my sister getting Madison out of her carrier and snuggling her to her chest.
“Um, hello? I am your sister, remember me?” I cross my arms in a fake pout.
Abby comes toward me and kisses my cheek. “You look good. Is this princess finally sleeping through the night?”
I nod. “The past couple of nights she’s slept for six hours straight. It’s been fantastic.”
“That is such a good feeling. The boys both started sleeping through the night after a month. Paisley was the one that took about six or seven months.” Abby sniffs Madison’s head. “God, I miss this smell.”
I begin to laugh because every woman in my family sniffs my daughter’s head. It’s the lavender and chamomile body wash I use on her and the lotion. “Lucky for you she’s not gassy. That overpowers her sweet baby smell.” My daughter is gorgeous but she’s got the stinkiest toots and poops.
“Ben and the kids should be home soon,” Abby says as she leads me into the kitchen, grabbing me a glass of lemonade—all while holding my daughter. “He wanted to give me a break, so they went to the park.”
I smile wide because it makes me happy that my sister has someone who loves her so much and takes care of her when she needs it. “You are one lucky woman. That man would move heaven and earth for you.”
Her cheeks turn a deep shade of pink, making me jealous, but in the best way because I want a man who is just like him. “Yes, he would, and I would do the same.” Abby hands me a glass. “Have you seen Chris much?” I knew this was coming. He’s been home for a week now.
“Pretty much every day that I go to see Robert or when he’s got Madison.” I take a sip of my lemonade. “Yesterday when I went to pick her up I found Chris and Madison on the floor. She was lying on a little playmat he bought her, and they were having tummy time.”
Abby grins at me and then down at my napping daughter. “That makes me glad. He’s been sober since he left?”
I nod. “Yeah, he looks good…healthy. Robert is so happy, and that makes me happy.”
“What will happen with the two of you?” she asks. My little girl wakes up and kicks her feet when her auntie starts talking to her.
I smile at Madison and grab her foot before looking at Abby. “Nothing will happen. I just hope we can work together co-parenting Madison. Plus, Graham and I have been spending lots of time together and I’ve been thinking about pursuing something with him.” That’s if he’s even interested, I think to myself.
“I could see that. He’s sweet and obviously cares about you, and he’s smitten with this little angel.”
I shrug. “I guess we’ll see what happens.”
Then her family comes home, and their beautiful chaos ensues.
Chris
I lie in bed flipping through all the pictures I’ve taken over the past week. My daughter is so beautiful I can’t stand it. I hate that I was too loaded to remember conceiving her, but that is not me anymore.
My road to recovery this past year has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but I am thankful every day that I did it. I’ve almost relapsed twice and the first time was when I had dreamt of my mom dying. I bought a bottle of whiskey, but then dumped it down the drain.
The second time was right after Madison’s birth. Dad had sent me the video of moments after she was born and a picture of my daughter on her mom’s chest. She was covered in goo, but she was still the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. I flip to that video and picture and can smile now when I look at it.
I look at Haddie, even though her hair is a mess, and she looks exhausted—I’ve never seen her look more beautiful. I wasn’t sure if she’d let me spend time with Madison, but I am thankful she did.
Also, how do I ever repay her for giving our daughter my mother’s name? I’m sure Mom is looking down on her namesake and is completely in love.
I hear the doorbell and then Dad’s bedroom door. I get out of bed, throwing on some sweatpants, and head out to the foyer where Robert, Haddie, and Madison are standing.
That’s when I notice my dad looks terrible. His eyes are on Haddie. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I should’ve called you sooner, but I slept through my alarm.”
“I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well. I’ll just take her to my mom’s.” She smiles at him and then picks up the carrier.
“Why don’t I watch her?” I say. “Dad is here if I have questions and if we run into too much trouble, we can call your mom or Abby.”
Haddie looks at me and then Madison, and then back up at me. “Yeah, okay. Your dad has the important numbers. She just ate before we left, so she should be good for a few hours. Don’t be offended if I call to check in and I may come have lunch here.”
“No worries, call as much as you need to.” I take the carrier from her. “Dad, you get in bed. Maddie and I are going into the family room to watch cartoons.
